Police chief warns people will be arrested for flouting lockdown

A Police Chief Constable has warned those who flout the coronavirus lockdown law could be arrested and face a criminal record.

Northamptonshire Police chief constable Nick Adderley was asked would he arrest people for sunbathing or those who gather in groups.

He said, “Yes, it’s an option. What I’m saying is we’ve got to get really serious with this, people are dying every day.”

Police across the UK do have the power to enforce the lockdown rules if Covid Idiots do not comply with the law, and will receives fines, or arrest.

Police chiefs across the UK want government ministers to now consider stricter lockdown measures over the fears that there will be a minority who will break the rules over the Easter weekend.

Chief constable Adderley said his officers have “stepped things up here” and are going to “hone in on” the “minority” who break the rules.

He said, “We’ve given the public three weeks to get used to this, this is a massive change in their lifestyle and how they operate,” he said.

“We worked on the basis of engagement and information and from today I’m being really clear that if people continue to flout the law that they will be fined and, if appropriate, they will be arrested.

“The vast vast majority here in Northamptonshire, and I hear from colleagues across the country are abiding by the law.

“To those people I say thank you.

“It is just a minority now that we need to hone in on.”

He told people to stay at home as NHS workers are “sacrificing their lives to protect us.”

He added, “It is only right that we ask the public to play their part.

“In the main they are, but it’s that hardcore of individuals that if they refuse, yes they could be issued with that ticket, if they continue to refuse to move on or go home as being requested, there are other powers. Which could mean that those individuals will be arrested.”

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick warned, that if the public do not obey police instructions it will “result in enforcement.”

The Commissioner said, “It’s extremely important that we all do try to comply with the restrictions and we in the police of course have our part to play.

“If we have to, we will be very firm in that, if somebody completely refuses, but this is an absolute last resort, it will result in enforcement.”